Cryptic Collection

Dense growth of Bootlace seaweed (Chorda filum) in shallow water, Kimmeridge, Dorset, England, UK, English Channel. July. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition 2022 (WPY)

Patterns made in sand by Mint-sauce worms (Symsagittifera roscoffensis / Convoluta roscoffensis) sunbathing at low tide to allow the symbiotic algae to photosynthesise

Bulb tentacle sea anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) close up detail, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Detail of frost on Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata). Vancouver Island, Canada, March

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), plumage detail. UK, March

White form of goldenrod crab spider (Misumenia vatia) camouflaged on umbelliferae flowers waiting for prey, Midi-Pyrenees, France, August

Moss mimic stick insect (Trychopeplus laciniatus) showing amazing camouflage on mossy vine, photographed in tropical rainforest in mobile field studio against a white background

Detail of Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris / Agriocharis ocellata) plumage. El Mirador-Rio Azul National Park, Department of Peten, Guatemala

Devil scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) close up of eye, Pak Lap Tsai, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, China

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) rear view of top of head and ears, in the snow, captive (born in 2000)

RF- Close-up of Highland cow (Bos taurus) showing thick insulating hair covering face. Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK, April

Close-up of the nose of a Highland cow (Bos taurus) Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK, April

Tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) beneath Swanage Pier, Dorset, UK. Photographed during May. English Channel

Panther Chameleon {Furcifer pardalis} close-up of skin, green colouration. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar

RF - Close up detail of the eye and skin pattern of a Giant hawkfish (Cirrhitus rivulatus). Socorro Island, Pacific Ocean

Panther Chameleon {Furcifer pardalis} close-up of skin, green colouration. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar

Fly agaric fungus (Amanita muscaria) cap detail. Peak DIstrict National Park, Derbyshire, UK. October

Regal Jumping Spider (Phidippus regius) male, close-up showing irridescent mandibles. Captive. Endemic to North America

Chinstrap Penguin {Pygoscelis antarctica} face portrait, Antarctica

Aerial view of cattle tracks in a salt pan, Anna Creek Station, South Australia. March, 2022

Cushion star (Culcita novaeguineae), detail, Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Limestone microfossils in a 0. 03mm-thick slice of fossil-rich limestone viewed at high magnification
Limestone microfossils in a 0.03mm-thick slice of fossil-rich limestone viewed at high magnification, image area is 3mm across in real life

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) rear view sitting on grass close to its den, Derbyshire, UK

Saturniid moth larva (Aurivillius triramis) close up of body segments, Laraganga Mole National Park, Ghana, Africa

Godmans silkmoth (Antheraea godmani) close up of eye spot on wing, Chiriqui Province, Panama

Mantel of Spiny oyster (Spondylus varius). Indonesia. Indo-West Pacific

Garden tiger moth (Arctica caja) close up of patterns on wings, England, UK, July

Agave (Agave felgeri) leaves, close up. Endemic plant to Mexico. Meise National Botanic Garden of Belgium, Belgium, August

Okarito Brown Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) feather detail resembling mammalian hair. Okarito Forest, Westland, South Island, New Zealand

Close up of feathers of cock Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Arbutus / Madrona (Arbutus sp. ) trunk detail, peeling bark, San Juan Island, Washington, USA
Arbutus / Madrona (Arbutus sp.) trunk detail, peeling bark, San Juan Island, Washington, USA. September

Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) close up of face, Channel Islands, UK July

High magnification photo of the spines of a Common starfish (Asterias rubens). Gulen, Bergen, Norway. North Sea, North East Atlantic Ocean

Underwater view of Brown bear (Ursus arctos) paw fishing for Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) with paw outstretched. Ozernaya River, Kuril Lake, South Kamtchatka Sanctuary, Far East Russia. August

Desert monitor (Varanus griseus griseus) occurs in Sahara Desert. Controlled conditions

Detail of the pectoral fin of Roundhead parrotfish (Scarus viridifucatus) coast of Dhofar and Hallaniyat islands, Oman. Arabian Sea

Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) close-up of fur and eye. Derbyshire, UK, March

Eyes of Margined sole fish (Brachirus heterolapis) on its camouflaged body. Saonek Island, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Tropical West Pacific Ocean. Dampier Strait

Starfish close up detail, Blairgowrie, Mornington Penisular, Victoria, Australia. Port Philip Bay, Bass Strait

Coral clam (Pedum spondyloideum) close up, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) skin and scales close-up. Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, June

Close up of pattern of adult Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. Java Sea

Rothschilds giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) close up of young calf skin pattern, captive

Red campion (Silene dioica) seeds, microscopic view

Aerial view of dense stand of Lava cactus (Brachycereus nesioticus), Fernandina Island, Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands

Common ghostgoby (Pleurosicya mossambica) camouflaged on a hard coral colony (Plesiastrea sp)
Common ghostgoby (Pleurosicya mossambica) camouflaged on a hard coral colony (Plesiastrea sp.), Ambon Bay, Maluku Archipelago, Indonesia. Banda Sea

Common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) large murmuration gathering before landing at winter roost, The Netherlands. Vogelwarte Photo Competition 2022 - Emotion category - Finalist

Longhorn cowfish (Lactoria cornuta) juvenile, swimming over seabed at night, Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Molucca Sea

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In the depths of the English Channel, a dense growth of Bootlace seaweed emerges from the shallow waters, creating an enigmatic and cryptic scene. This captivating image captured during the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition 2022 in Dorset, England leaves us intrigued by its intricate patterns and mysterious allure. Moving to warmer shores in Maldives, we find ourselves mesmerized by the intricate patterns made in sand by Mint-sauce worms. These delicate trails weave together like cryptic messages left behind for us to decipher. Nearby, a Bulb tentacle sea anemone reveals its hidden beauty with a close-up detail that further adds to nature's enigma. Venturing into colder climates on Vancouver Island, Canada, we encounter frost delicately clinging onto Western Red Cedar trees. The ethereal patterns formed on these branches leave us wondering about nature's artistic secrets hidden within every frozen droplet. As March arrives in the UK countryside, a Pheasant proudly displays its plumage detail. Each feather seems to hold its own secret message waiting to be unraveled by those who dare take a closer look. Similarly, another photograph captures a close-up of feathers from a cock Pheasant - their vibrant colors and intricate design adding another layer of mystery. Nature's camouflage takes center stage as we observe Misumenia vatia -the white form of goldenrod crab spider- expertly blending into umbelliferae plants. Its ability to disappear into plain sight is truly remarkable and leaves us pondering over how many other cryptic creatures may be hiding right before our eyes. The Ocellated Turkey showcases its stunning plumage detail with an array of mesmerizing patterns that seem almost otherworldly. Its colorful display invites us into yet another realm where nature's mysteries unfold before our very eyes. Descending beneath the waves off Pak Lap Tsai in Sai Kung lies an eerie creature known as Devil scorpionfish.